Money, Money, Money

Amber leaned into his side, as soon as they could. The kiss to the top of their head made them smile while shutting their eyes and listening to Miguel. “Definitely normal,” they echoed, not so much from personal experience but from everything she had been told and seen from friends who were already parents. “Well Sofia and Demetri already showed this, but it’s worth repeating that you’re an amazing Dad. And seeing you with the twins is one of my favorite sights.” Even with the ‘off’ feeling that they couldn’t quite place, Amber really did melt whenever seeing Miguel cradling one or both of the twins in his arms. “You’ve more than earned a break though, especially with all the time you’ve given me to rest and recoup.”

“You’re doing amazing too,” Miguel smiled, kissing Amber on the head, “well I figured that you deserved it after doing all the work while you were pregnant with them. Plus in a way it kind of feels like relearning how to ride a bike after having done it before with Sofia.” 

Upon getting home from the hospital, Amber had been in a unique place of delirious bliss. Of course there was the fatigue and the soreness, but it was completely worth it, given how utterly precious Isobel and Jessamine were. It was so sweet to watch Miguel be a new dad all over again–something she hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing before with Sofia. His parenting wasn’t new to her, since she’d seen him with Sofia and Demetri but with newborns, it was a different level of precious.

Over the next couple of weeks, she was grateful for how hands-on Miguel had been but there was something that had her feeling a bit…off. She tried not to overthink it, but the feeling kept coming back to her like a persistent poke to her still-sensitive chest. Having just finished pumping and storing some milk away in the freezer, Amber headed back to the living room and sat down on the couch, letting out a sleepy sigh. But she opened her eyes when Miguel came padding into the room. She reached over to the baby monitor she’d left on the couch and held it up with a smile, “If they cut their nap short, we’ll know A-S-A-P.” She padded the space beside her and as soon as she could, she rested her head on his shoulder. “You’ve been really attentive to them since we got home. How are you doing?”

Miguel kissed the top of Amber’s head with a bit of a contented sigh. It was strange, starting over parenting again - and while they had with Demetri, and Miguel felt like they had adjusted well with the boy - it was different with the newborns. “I’m tired, but I’m pretty sure that’s normal,” Miguel stated, “Though it’s definitely taken a lot of getting used to having babies in the house again.” 

The twins were a handful, which Miguel had been expecting. But there was something that came back to him when it came to the twins. Maybe it was because he had raised Sofia by himself, but he couldn’t help himself from getting up with the twins, trying to get things, and in a way he almost felt like Amber deserved the break after she had carried the two of them. He had gotten the two of them down before going out into the front room, hoping that the two of them would stay asleep. “I think that we have a few hours,” Miguel said, smiling over at Amber, “I don’t think that either of them will be awake any time soon.” 

That’s absolutely true. I’m fully expecting those reactions when they’re 13 and up. Though hopefully they think Timothy is more ‘embarrassing’ than me. He is a pastor after all.

Probably. You’ve probably got the cool dad card in the bag. Especially since you’re younger, thatll also work in your favor.

My sister works with your wife’s doctor and told me you guys had your twins. Congratulations! How’s it been with newborns in the house?

Hey that’s cool. Sounds like it would be an all around win for him getting to learn and socialize, and you guys not having to think of ways to entertain him while being cooped up in the house all summer long. You guys sound like great parents.

It’s been exhausting. In a good way, but the two definitely wake each other up so I think that’s been the biggest challenge. But they’re adjusting to their schedule pretty decently. 

Yeah, I thought it would be. And there’s a lot of really cool programs out there, so he can pick the one he likes the best. And thanks, I really try to be. Especially since I had to do it myself with Sofia, so it’s been nice to have a partner in parenting. 

Then I would say that even as someone who’s no longer a single parent, that that might be something for you to utilize in this case.

You’ve got a point. Especially since the twins are now here. 

Andre: It's a bit strange to think that she would be wholly uninterested but least you've always kept the lines of communication open.

Andre: I can do that. I'll let the investigation team I'm working with know that I want to add her to it. It's too much to think it a coincidence for her to show up here of all places.

Miguel: I think that it just comes back to the fact Aviana was bad and she can tell that the WWotE is worse and doesn't want to know.

Understandable. Another reason I’m glad Sky is older.

Nice. Dad hack.

Yeah, though you’re much closer to being insanely embarassing, uncool, and ruining their life, so you’ll have that to look forward to.

It’s pretty special forming that connection, huh? That’s sad to hear he didn’t have much of a family before and that’s probably something he’s dealing with in his own way, but no doubt you guys have filled a pretty big void of family love and I’d guess he’s happy more than anything else, having you guys and stability–not having to stress about what’s next for where he’ll be or for how long.

It is, he quickly just became my son and I don’t know how to really explain it - especially since I don’t think Amber and I had ever really thought about adopting before we had to foster, and then we just couldn’t imagine our lives without him. 

I can imagine, after months of waiting. Do you guys have names picked out and all that or are you still deciding? Yeah I can understand that though. Kinda seems like most people do better when they’ve got some kind of structure to their day, especially kids. I wonder what summer vacation’s gonna be like for him, haha.

We do have names picked out, we decided to choose names that were important to us, and I think that they’re going to fit the twins pretty well. 

I still have to talk to Amber about this, but I’m thinking of signing him up for an engineering day camp so that he’ll still have some things similar to school and his interests. Plus he’s a social butterfly so he’ll be around kids all day which will be good for him. . 

Are you opposed to bribery or striking a compromise with him?

I am excellent at bribery. That’s the best way to make it as a single parent, so I have plenty of experience with Sofia. 

Andre: And Sofia still doesn't know about her, specifically, right?

Andre: I could try to do some digging if you want? I'm already in the process of having some investigative work done, so I could add her to it.

Miguel: Not really. I've always told her that if she's curious to ask, or if she decides she does want to meet her to let me know, but she's never really seemed all that interested.

Andre: Oh. Well it's good that they're getting sleep.

Andre: Bien. Not the sleep deprivation but you know what I mean. She doesn't have anyone you know of who's still here, other than you and Sofia, does she?

Andre: You're kidding.

Andre: And why were you at the mall? I thought you would be home juggling baby diapers and swaddling blankets.

Andre: You didn't talk to her, did you?

Miguel: Because before the snowstorm I had ordered something for the twins that was supposed to be picked up at the store, and it just arrived so I went to get it. Plus Amber and the twins were sleeping and Sofia was over so it seemed like a good time.

Miguel: You're never going to guess who I just saw at the mall.

Miguel: The Wicked Witch of the East.

amberfawzy​:

“Oh trust me, I don’t recommend it. People are out of their minds about some of the sales. Now that Cyber Monday’s a thing, I’ve gone Black Friday shopping a lot less.” Thinking about Black Friday did make them smile a ibt, thinking about old memories with friends. “You’ll get it, babe. Plus you’ve got a volunteer helper on standby,” Amber said with a soft smile. “But it might be worth calling someone to install a generator that automatically comes on if the power goes off. That way you won’t have to hassle with it every time there’s a chance for a power outage.” While unpacking the groceries in the kitchen, Amber circled back to dinner and said, “Pizza sounds good, and I think we have everything to make them.”

~~time jump~~

In the middle of the ugly storm outside, Amber was curled up on the couch, a blanket half draped on their body while Han snoozed on the floor beneath them. Amber was nodding off while one of Amber’s favorite movies played on the TV. The middle of The Incredibles was long forgotten, however, when a squeezing discomfort started low towards the front of their large baby bump. Amber’s eyes snapped open and while instinctively gripping where the pain had come, they repositioned themself to sit up while calling out, “Miguuueel!?” in a loud, wary tone.

Miguel was already over the storm. Even though he preferred to work from home, it sitll felt different when he wasn’t allowed to leave. Almost claustrophobic. Plus with Sofia there, and Demetri interrupting him, he had developed a habit of trying to lock himself in his office so that he would be able to get a few things done.  He was in the middle of paperwork (which almost was calming with how repetitive it was) when he heard Amber call out.  “Yes?” he called after he opened his office door, “Is everything okay?”